The Beginnings of Mercy and Grace Matthew 1:18-20, Luke 2:6-12, Mark 6:3 and John 1:45-46

1. The Beginnings of Mercy and GraceMatthew 1:18-20, Luke 2:6-12, Mark 6:3 and John 1:45-46 “Joseph, I hope to sit with you someday, hear you tell all about the choices you were called to make…” Walk in your shoes Understand your pain Your frustration Your faith

2. Matthew 1 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

3. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

4. We begin with a child conceived out of wedlock A man who wants to run away A man who talks to angels We could even say… A man who was gullible Ultimately, a responsible man

5. Luke 2 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

6. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

7. Joseph’s family had limited resources Joseph was from an ordinary family The Christ was born in a stable Like cattle The birth was greeted by shepherds

8. Mark 6 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

9. This child could claim no earthly authority No great education No palace No government No army Just the son of a carpenter

10. John 1 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

11. He wasn’t even born in an interesting place Jerusalem Instead he was born in some tiny backward community

12. The obvious question is, why? There has to be a reason Surely God could have done better His son, Jesus Christ, could have been born into this world by better means

13. He came into the world like we do Like us – born without much fanfare Sometimes in harsh situation Financial difficulties Out of wedlock Questionable families Shepherds for friends

14. Right from the beginning… God connects with us God displays his mercy, grace and acceptance The way he came, tells us… We are all important to God

15. The way he came means something Permission to do and become something great He loves us, whatever situation we are in He wants to shower us with mercy and grace

16. Jesus came in a particular way and manner So we might understand There is a place of mercy and grace in his heart for us